A ‘record number’ of taxpayers submitted their self assessment tax returns before the 31 January deadline, HMRC has revealed.

Of the 11,433,349 tax returns that were due, 10,687,761 were filed before the deadline of midnight on 31 January. 758,707 individuals finalised their return on the day before the deadline, the statistics showed.

HMRC's online filing system was used by 9.9 million taxpayers, with 92.5% of returns being submitted electronically. 771,331 self assessment tax returns were filed on paper.

‘It's really fantastic to see that each year more and more self assessment customers are getting ahead of the game and submitting their tax return before the 31 January deadline,’ said Angela MacDonald, Director General for Customer Services at HMRC.

‘But we're not complacent, we want the number missing the deadline to be zero, and we'll continue to adapt the process to make it easier and simpler for all our customers until every return is in on time and without avoidable errors.’

Around 745,588 tax returns are yet to be filed. HMRC has urged those who have not yet submitted their return to do so now, in order to avoid further penalties. Those who missed the 31 January deadline will receive a £100 fixed penalty, even if there is no tax to pay. Further penalties are then issued for prolonged delays.